Clock Tower, Torre do Relógio - Main tower of the medieval walls of walks, gives access to the Medieval Old Town Walk.

Mother Church, Igreja Matriz - Church of Gothic style with Renaissance details.

Fountain, Chafariz - Renaissance Monument, the first half of the century. XVI, installed in the center of Terreiro (Square Councillor Silva Torres).

Misericordia Church, Igreja da Misericórdia - Church sixteenth century, stands out for its Renaissance portal.

Walls, Muralhas  - Wall Medieval built during the thirteenth century.

House of Pitas, Casa dos Pitas - Manueline style house, century date. XVII.

Straight Street, Rua Direita - Street flagship, raises questions about what else should be no surprise: the sinuosity of the narrow streets in slab; the originality of the villas reveal the artistic facades and balconies with very interesting architectural elements.

City Hall, Paços do Concelho – Designed in 1920, the building of the Municipality of walks suffered in the 50s, major remodeling in charge of vilarmourense José Port architect.

MOLEDO

Insua Fort, Forte da Ínsua - National Monument built between 1649 and 1652, is a small rocky island at the mouth of the Rio Minho, close to shore.

VILA PRAIA DE ÂNCORA, ANCHOR BEACH VILLAGE

Forte da Lagarteira - Military Fortress century. XVII-XVIII, located in Portinho Village Anchor Beach

Dolmen of Barrosa, Dólmen da Barrosa - Funeral Megalithic monument, a national monument since 1910, Vila Praia de Ancora

Chapel of Our Lady Lourdes, Monte do Calvário/Capela N. Sra. Lurdes - Religious and pan set, dated 1904, Vila Praia de Ancora

ÂNCORA

Dog Fort, Forte do Cão- defensive military construction built between 1699 and 1702, located in Anchor

Cividade de Âncora - is attributed to secs. I and II B.C.

ARGA DE S. JOÃO

Monastery of St. John D’Arga, Mosteiro de S. João D’Arga - Romanesque Monastery, whose construction dates of the century. XIII.

VILAR OF MOORS, VILAR DE MOUROS

Medieval bridge of Vilar de Moors, Ponte medieval de Vilar de Mouros - National Monument Romanesque style, its construction dates back to the sixth century. XIV / XV.

VILE

Chapel of St. Peter Varais, Capela de S. Pedro Varais - Romanesque chapel end of the century. XIII.

LANHELAS

Cruzeiro da Independência - Monument built in 1940.

In 1392, Franciscan friars of Galicia under the direction of Fray Diego Arias, built an monastery in the insula. Will date this period the first fortification in place, with the protection function of that river bar and religious, built by determination of John I of Portugal.

In 1471 took place the convent redevelopment, being built new cells and promoted improvements in its chapel.

Later, Manuel I of Portugal (1495-1521), when passing on a pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela (1502), has determined the implementation of new works of renovation and expansion of this defense, completed in 1512. Similarly, in the context the Philippine Dynasty, Philip I of Portugal (1580-1598) promoted her new intervention, it increased the effectiveness of artillery, urgent need to tackle the British and French pirates attacks. None of these structures come to us.

The current structure dates back to the War of Restoration context (1640-1668), under the reign of John IV of Portugal (1640-1656). Was performed between 1649 and 1652, under the orders of then Minho Arms Governor, D. Diogo Nogueira Lima.

Throughout the eighteenth century the premises of the convent and the strong were repaired on several occasions, highlighting, in 1717 a donation John V King of Portugal for the building of the church, including the dome and in 1767 the construction of new cells, the chapter house and an altarpiece. Between 1793 and 1795 the brothers left the convent to undertake repair works. In the same period in 1765 fortification found itself manned by 10 men and seven bronze artillery pieces.

During the Peninsular War the insula was occupied by Spanish and French troops. Later, with the extinction of the religious orders (1834) the fort was abandoned by the religious community, getting stocked exclusively by the Portuguese Army.

Given its geographic location, walks became always obligatory passage point for pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela, here crossed two main routes or the pilgrim take the path of the Interior or the Northwest Path or take the Seaway. The proximity on the Minho River as an alternative allows the passage to Galicia (Spain).

The Camino de Santiago, also known by the English names Way of St. James, St. James’s Way, St. James’s Path, St. James’s Trail, Route of Santiago de Compostela, and Road to Santiago, is the name of any of the pilgrimage routes (most commonly the Camino Francés or French route) to the shrine of the apostle St. James the Great in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwestern Spain, where tradition has it that the remains of the saint are buried. Many take up this route as a form of spiritual path or retreat, for their spiritual growth.

Like most of the mountains and hills of northern Portugal, the Serra d’Arga comes from granite outcrops, and all existing rocks are derived directly or indirectly from this plutonic igneous rock.

The mountain provides a landscape that enables us to see the Minho River, the Portuguese village of walks, as well as the Spanish provinces of Galicia.

The festival of St. John d’Arga, on 29 August, is the most characteristic and lived in the Alto Minho, with a strong power of attraction populations around. This is the path used since ancient times, across the Serra d’Arga we relive all the stories and legends that refer to it. It is a long way and going through a very rough area.

The middle of the slope of the Sierra and around are eight rural villages that still preserve the traditional architecture and some of the uses and customs of old. Are aggregated to Viana do Castelo municipalities, Ponte de Lima, Vila Nova de Cerveira and walks.

The Serra D’Arga with a total area of 4493 ha, is considered one of the most interesting natural areas in Portugal, housing a high number of species of fauna, flora and high value natural habitats, allowing their integration and classification in the European ecological network, such as Natura 2000.

The Serra Interpretation Centre d’Arga (CISA) is a structure of the Municipality of walks oriented to the development of environmental education activities, dissemination, enhancing and promoting environmental and cultural heritage of Serra d’Arga and to the nature tourism.

The CISA available to tourists, school community and other people, a diverse set of activities:

Interpretive paths pedestrian
Study visits
Workshops on environmental education
mini-library
Sale of promotional materials and local products

CISA Location

Located in a former home of the Forest Service in the parish of Low Arga, about 15 km from the village of Caminha, in Viana do Castelo district.

Business hours

Tuesday to Saturday:

Morning: 9:00 – 12:30

Afternoon: 14h00 – 17h30

Contacts

Serra Interpretation Centre d’Arga

Arga Low

4910-035 Arga Low

Tel: 258 721 708

email: cisa@cm-caminha.pt